Evelyn McCraw Howie, 90 of Huntsville, passed away Sunday. She was predeceased by her devoted husband Vim, son Don Houston Howie, and granddaughter Kinsey McCraw Boxley.
Survivors include her large and growing family: John Howie and Emma Jones, sons Jackson and Noah Howie, Sean and Chelsi Jones and great granddaughters Jasmine, Michaela and Zoe Jones; Carol Howie, her family Mitchell and Melanie Howie and great grandchildren Ashton Poling, Allesandra and Collin Howie; Mitch and Debra Howie, children Schuyler, Turner and Cailin; Helen Howie and Gary Clark, children Kelsey Clark, Adam Oliver, Kit and Wes Naramore; David Howie; Don’s loving wife Aletha Howie and children Houston and Maggie; Sarah and Randy Boxley, sons Vim and Howie Boxley; Trish and Bob Kessler, children Joseph Howie, Nicholas & Rachel Bulpitt and great-grandson Jayden Hunt.
Evelyn was raised in Clarksville, Tennessee by Turner and Carrie McCraw with adored “Sista” Mary. She attended Austin Peay College and graduated from Peabody College in Nashville. She met Vim Howie at Methodist camp Lake Junaluska, NC and married him two months later. Upon settling in Huntsville in the late 50’s, the Howies were founding members of Trinity United Methodist Church and later the Ecumenical Fellowship house church group.
Their religion instilled the desire to promote racial equality in then-segregated Alabama, despite threats from some in the community, as well as the KKK. Dr. Howie was a leader in his refusal to have racially separate waiting rooms for his pediatric patients. Both he and Evelyn supported the Civil Rights Movement locally and statewide, by posting bonds for those arrested in peaceful demonstrations against segregation in restaurants, schools and public transit. As a proud self-described “Yellow-Dog Democrat”, Evelyn inspired every one of their children to be active in politics and issues in their communities.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at Monte Sano United Methodist Church. The service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8 at United Church of Huntsville, 7906 Whitesburg Drive with the Reverends Ron Gonia, John Mullaney and Brian Byrne officiating. A reception will follow at the church.
